High affinity uptake of L-glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid in Drosophila melanogaster

Preparations having properties resembling those of synaptosomes have been isolated from whole fly homogenates of Drosophila melanogaster using ficoll gradient floatation technique. These have been characterized by marker enzymes and electron microscopy and binding of muscarinic antagenist 3H Quinuclidinyl benzilate. An uptake system for neurotransmitter, a-Aminobutyric acid has been demonstrated in these preparations. A high affinity uptake system for L-glutamate has also been studied in these subcellular fractions. This uptake of glutamate is transport into an osmotically sensitive compartment and not due to binding of glutamate to membrane components. The transport of glutamate has an obligatory requirements for either sodium or potassium ions. Kinetic experiments show that two transport systems, with Km values 0.33×10-6M and 2.0×10-6, respectively, function in the accumulation of glutamate. ATP stimulates lower affinity transport of glutamate. Inhibition of glutamate uptake by L-aspartate but not by phenylalanine and tyrosine indicates that a common carrier mediates the transport of both glutamate and aspartate. β-N-oxalyl-L-β β-diamino propionic acid and kainic acid, both inhibitors of glutamate transport in mammalian brain preparations, strongly inhibited transport of glutamate in Drosophila preparations Comparison with uptake of a-aminobutyric acid and glutamate in isolated larval brain is presented to show that the synaptosome-like preparations we have isolated are rich in central nervous system derived structures, and presynaptic endings from neuromuscular junctions

Potential of farm level rainwater harvesting for enhancing resilience of dryland farming systems in India

The farm level rainwater harvesting which has huge potential for enhancing dryland farming systems resilience is yet to be fully harnessed. Here we have assessed the performance of small rainwater harvesting structures in different five rainfed agro-ecologies in India. Further we have taken a case of the state of Telangana in India and mapped the potential for context specific scaling up of rainwater harvesting through farm ponds at mandal (sub-district) level. The study uses farm level primary data on investments, water use, yield impacts and additional net returns due to farm ponds; perceptions of multiple stakeholders and results of experimental on-farm trials on use of harvested rainwater. The ex-ante study to assess the potential for scaling up farm ponds in the whole Telangana state uses eight years district level yield data of major crops from 2007 to 2015. The technical coefficients representing impact of supplemental/lifesaving irrigation through farm ponds were arrived at based on our above case study in five regions, published literature and stakeholders consultations. Accounting for differential benefits of farm ponds under different rainfall situations, we have used the average rate of additional net returns due to farm pond over the period from 2008 to 2105 considering normal, mild drought, drought and excess rainfall years. Stakeholders’ consultation with participation from each district of Telangana state was organized to understand the perceptions and preferences of farmers in different regions of the state. The farmers cultivating less than 2 hectares of land were reluctant to adopt the farm ponds, hence only 5% of such landholders were assumed to be the potential adopters of rainwater harvesting structures. The harvested rainwater in five different regions representing Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Rajasthan was used for supplemental irrigation and recharging open-wells. In many instances, the rainwater harvesting through farm ponds significantly increased crop yields and had a multiplier effect on farm income under rainfed situation, but in some cases it was perceived by farmers as a waste of resources. Increased access to cash and fodder triggered an increase in income from livestock in some cases. The supplemental irrigation across case studies in the different regions resulted in a significant increase in crop yields (12 to 72 %) and cropping intensity as well as diversification into fruits and fodder production and in few cases aquaculture. The additional net returns due to farm ponds were estimated to be between US$ 120 and 320 structure-1 annum-1. The ex-ante analysis at mandal level in Telangana state indicated that one-fifth of the mandals in the state have potential to create more than 500 farm ponds in each to enhance farming systems resilience and income. We also mapped those one third of the mandals which do not need any farm pond to be created. A few mandals have very high potential with a scope for constructing more than 1000 farm ponds in each. The functional analysis highlighted the technical, capital, social and extension related determinants of adoption of farm ponds. Ex-post impact assessment of farm pond in different regions of India establishes their usefulness and the ex-ante analysis maps out its potential at mandal level in the Telangana state would contribute in prioritizing and better targeting of investments for scaling up of farm level rainwater harvesting in the rainfed regions

Sensitivity of Livestock Production to Climatic Variability Under Indian Drylands and Future Perspective

The livestock production system is considered equally sensitive to climate change as that of core agriculture system and at the same time livestock itself is also contributing to the phenomenon. The present paper attempts to analyze the sensitivity of livestock productivity in rainfed regions to climatic variability, significance of climate change with respect to Indian livestock and mitigation options and leverage points in such a scenario. The sensitively of livestock productivity was examined by using district level data of milk productivity of cow as well as buffalo for the year 1992 and 1997 for 100 districts which was regressed on important weather variables. The analysis shows that weather variables like rainfall and temperature do significantly influence the milk productivity of animals in rainfed regions. Increased climatic variability due to changing climate is likely to negatively influence the livestock productivity. Based on analysis and stakeholders consultation the paper suggests appropriate adaptation strategies particularly focusing on mitigating feed scarcity situations arising due to climatic variability

Economic impact of improved pearl millet production technology in resource-poor rainfed areas of Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh

Five on-farm trials in Karivemula and Devanakonda watersheds of Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, India, demonstrated the economic viability of improved production technologies for pearl millet. The package included improved cultivar (ICTP 8203), seed rate of 4.0 kg/ha, seed treatment with thiram (3 g per kg of seed), and fertilizer dose of 60 kg N per ha and 30 kg P2O5 per ha

Trypan Blue Dye Enters Viable Cells Incubated with the Pore-Forming Toxin HlyII of Bacillus cereus

Trypan blue is a dye that has been widely used for selective staining of dead tissues or cells. Here, we show that the pore-forming toxin HlyII of Bacillus cereus allows trypan blue staining of macrophage cells, despite the cells remaining viable and metabolically active. These findings suggest that the dye enters viable cells through the pores. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that trypan blue may enter viable cells. Consequently, the use of trypan blue staining as a marker of vital status should be interpreted with caution. The blue coloration does not necessarily indicate cell lysis, but may rather indicate pore formation in the cell membranes and more generally increased membrane permeability

Thermalized Displaced and Squeezed Number States in Coordinate Representation

Within the framework of thermofield dynamics, the wavefunctions of the thermalized displaced number and squeezed number states are given in the coordinate representation. Furthermore, the time evolution of these wavefunctions is considered by introducing a thermal coordinate representation, and we also calculate the corresponding probability densities, average values and variances of position coordinate, which are consistent with results in the literature.Comment: 12 pages, no figures, Revtex. v3: substantially revise

Quality of Care in Contraceptive Services Provided to Young People in Two Ugandan Districts: A Simulated Client Study

BACKGROUND: Low and inconsistent use of contraceptives by young people contributes to unintended pregnancies. This study assessed quality of contraceptive services for young people aged 15-24 in two rural districts in Uganda. METHODS: Five female and two male simulated clients (SCs) interacted with 128 providers at public, private not-for-profit (PNFP), and private for profit (PFP) health facilities. After consultations, SCs were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Six aspects of quality of care (client's needs, choice of contraceptive methods, information given to users, client-provider interpersonal relations, constellation of services, and continuity mechanisms) were assessed. Descriptive statistics and factor analysis were performed. RESULTS: Means and categorized quality scores for all aspects of quality were low in both public and private facilities. The lowest quality scores were observed in PFP, and medium scores in PNFP facilities. The choice of contraceptive methods and interpersonal relations quality scores were slightly higher in public facilities. Needs assessment scores were highest in PNFP facilities. All facilities were classified as having low scores for appropriate constellation of services. Information given to users was suboptimal and providers promoted specific contraceptive methods. Minority of providers offered preferred method of choice and showed respect for privacy. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of contraceptive services provided to young people was low. Concurrent quality improvements and strengthening of health systems are needed

Socio-Economic Inequalities in the Use of Postnatal Care in India

OBJECTIVES: First, our objective was to estimate socio-economic inequalities in the use of postnatal care (PNC) compared with those in the use of care at birth and antenatal care. Second, we wanted to compare inequalities in the use of PNC between facility births and home births and to determine inequalities in the use of PNC among mothers with high-risk births. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Rich-poor ratios and concentration indices for maternity care were estimated using the third round of the District Level Household Survey conducted in India in 2007-08. Binary logistic regression models were used to examine the socio-economic inequalities associated with use of PNC after adjusting for relevant socio-economic and demographic characteristics. PNC for both mothers and newborns was substantially lower than the care received during pregnancy and child birth. Only 44% of mothers in India at the time of survey received any care within 48 hours after birth. Likewise, only 45% of newborns received check-up within 24 hours of birth. Mothers who had home births were significantly less likely to have received PNC than those who had facility births, with significant differences across the socio-economic strata. Moreover, the rich-poor gap in PNC use was significantly wider for mothers with birth complications. CONCLUSIONS: PNC use has been unacceptably low in India given the risks of mortality for mothers and babies shortly after birth. However, there is evidence to suggest that effective use of pregnancy and childbirth care in health facilities led to better PNC. There are also significant socio-economic inequalities in access to PNC even for those accessing facility-based care. The coverage of essential PNC is inadequate, especially for mothers from economically disadvantaged households. The findings suggest the need for strengthening PNC services to keep pace with advances in coverage for care at birth and prenatal services in India through targeted policy interventions

Necrotrophism Is a Quorum-Sensing-Regulated Lifestyle in Bacillus thuringiensis

How pathogenic bacteria infect and kill their host is currently widely investigated. In comparison, the fate of pathogens after the death of their host receives less attention. We studied Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) infection of an insect host, and show that NprR, a quorum sensor, is active after death of the insect and allows Bt to survive in the cadavers as vegetative cells. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that NprR regulates at least 41 genes, including many encoding degradative enzymes or proteins involved in the synthesis of a nonribosomal peptide named kurstakin. These degradative enzymes are essential in vitro to degrade several substrates and are specifically expressed after host death suggesting that Bt has an active necrotrophic lifestyle in the cadaver. We show that kurstakin is essential for Bt survival during necrotrophic development. It is required for swarming mobility and biofilm formation, presumably through a pore forming activity. A nprR deficient mutant does not develop necrotrophically and does not sporulate efficiently in the cadaver. We report that necrotrophism is a highly regulated mechanism essential for the Bt infectious cycle, contributing to spore spreading